Depression

When was the last time you checked on your friends and families?

UNSPLASH
Even if it is a 5 minute phone call or a 30 minutes visit to their house?

It is a known fact that we are all going through different challenges in life but it is not too much to keep in touch with the people who you claim to love. In fact, there are so many people who are finding it difficult to express their feelings to others and they bury them in their heart. This often leads to serious health issues such as loneliness, depression and death.

Truth be told, it is not everyone that is smiling or laughing that is happy deep down but they use those expressions to cover up their emotions. Generally, it is normal to respond with "I'm fine" when people ask "How are you?" even though the reverse is the case. So many people are dying in silence because they do not know who to speak to or who to trust and this is the vital reason we must make sure we check on our loved ones no matter how busy we are.

Some days ago, I saw it on social media that a man who is well-known for putting smiles on people's face - widows and orphans, through his charity works of feeding and clothing people committed suicide with his wife's dress in his house or thereabouts. It is such a sad story and a great loss to the world that a man with such a good heart can lose his life in such manner. This is a clear indication that he was not happy and a lot is bothering him even though he put smiles on other people's faces.

This is an example that we should not stay far away from the people we care about and we must ensure that we do not only check up on them but also spend quality time with them that will make them share some of their fears with us. A problem shared is a problem half solved. In this way you may be saving a life from self destruction. Even if you stay in the same house with a person and you observe that they are not their usual self, ensure you ask questions and proffer solutions before it is too late.

Develop the habit to constantly check up on your loved ones, create a good relationship with them and be sure to advise them right when they open their mind to you about challenges that they are facing in their career, relationship, finances, etc. You may refer them to an expert or professional if you are not in the best position to proffer solutions to their problems.